What Help Would You Give To New Posters

CrustyMcMuffin

I don't post much, but what I have found is that by reading the other posts you realise two things.

Number 1 there are people in a worse situation than yourself, not just debt but health problems etc. This helps you put your problems into perspective.

Number 2, there are so many people who have been through what you're going through and you can take inspiration from the fact that these people are now debt free and one day you will be to.

Molanole

Shameless bump.

This is a really useful thread IMHO.

WelshWoofer

If you have a wobble and spend something in a weak moment or fall off the wagon completely for a while - don't panic and give in all together.
Take deep breath, take stock and start again. It's like changing/breaking any habit - you will have steps backward but as long as you start again it'll be OK.

Just think of it like a diet - one cream cake won't kill you but stop there and get back on the calorie counting!

Imelda

hi all, great thread

My advice would be, establish a budget that works for you, just as rachelmk says, it's like a diet, no point starving yourself if you're then going to go ahead and binge. I found I was cutting my budget back too tightly, I was unrealistic and in the last week of every month I would go mad as my feelings were that I have failed again anyway, another £10 won't hurt. Now, I am in my last week and am actually £20 up on this month's budget (and want to make it £30)

CAFCGirl

Remember that everything is relative.

Whether your personal debts are £5,000 or £50,000, these are all relative to our lives.Don't feel guilty because your total debts is lower than somes, and dont make others feel guilty for what you consider not much debt at all!

It all affects everyone in pretty much the same way.

Remember this site is there for support. If you dont have anything constructive or supportive to say then dont say anything at all! (Sorry am still annoyed about my diary's thread assault!)

Don't ask for advice if you're just gonna shoot everyone down. Dont seek ways to cut costs if you're just gonna give lame a** reasons why you cant!If you're having trouble managing your debts but will not cut that sky subscription then we can never help you until you will help yourself.

Read through all the boards and learn who the best crowd are to ask for advice in certain areas. Theres an expert in these boards on every subject under the sun!

Keep half an eye on you. Theres no point going through all this debt clearning if you're not gonna be there to enjoy the last debt payment go! Everyone deserves a little break every once in a while, and pretty soon you'll have worked out, what works for you, and you'll enjoy trying to find it cheaper!

Never take the first price you see for an item. 9 times out of 10 the first place you go for it, knows theyre the first place people will go for it, and so set the prices accordingly to take advantage of that fact!

Don't kick yourself for mistakes, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, visit the boards, have a rant for tomorrow is another day. Mistakes are simply lessons we need to learn. However you dont need to make them all, learn through the experiences of others!

jessicamb

Molanole wrote:

Shameless bump.

This is a really useful thread IMHO.

Thanks for the bump.

Another tip from me - every little helps. Even a £10 month saving should be counted as it will bring your debt free date closer.

skintchick

Put a post it note in your purse that says Do You Really NEED This? Makes you stop and think every time you fancy spending. Worked for me.

jessicamb

skintchick wrote:

Put a post it note in your purse that says Do You Really NEED This? Makes you stop and think every time you fancy spending. Worked for me.

Or freeze your credit card in a block of ice - that way you really have to think before you spend anything on it! :money: